ON THE PLEASURES AND ADVANTAGES OF FLORICULTURE. 83 



expedients which men thus try, to gratify their various tastes and 

 dispositions. Some seek pleasure in the chase, some in the dance, 

 some in one thing, and some in another; and, although harmless 

 and innocent in themselves many of these may be, yet in floricul- 

 ture, as a pursuit, I claim a superiority and ascendancy over these ; 

 • inasmuch as it is not only an innocent one, but one that is rational, 

 intellectual, and consistent with the Creator's original design for his 

 creature's happiness. Our first parents, in the days of their inno- 

 cence and purity, were placed in a garden; and, not only to admire 

 and contemplate its beauties, but, as we read, also " to dress and to 

 till it." From which it is manifest that the flower-garden is a spot 

 intended by the Almighty for man's enjoyment and recreation. And 

 what, indeed, can be more delightful than to study the wondrous 

 laws of Nature, to assist her in her curious and delicate operations, 

 and, by the aid of art, draw out from her those beauties and perfec- 

 tions which would otherwise remain obscure. Another reason of its 

 superiority is that, while other pursuits are but momentary and 

 transient with the season, floriculture is one that can always be 

 enjoyed, always affording sweet reminiscences when past, and pleasant 

 anticipations of the future. We may therefore truly say that " the 

 flower-garden is an endless source of pleasure." 



Secondly, I recommend it " as an interesting art and science." 

 The study of floriculture includes in it many most beautiful and 

 delicate arts. We will take, for example, the art of hybridizing, — a 

 process which requires the most exquisite skill and nicety. This is 

 performed by extracting the pollen or dust that is contained in the 

 anthers of one flower, and applying it to the pistil of another. By 

 this means the respective properties of the two flowers become 

 blended, and the seed of the one thus impregnated will produce 

 varieties altogether unique and distinct. There is, likewise, the art 

 of budding and grafting, and various other arts which require equal 

 skill and dexterity in management. It leads us also into science, 

 and that of by no means the least order. The study of botany, the 

 investigation of sods, and the application of manures, all afford scope 

 for the promotion and advancement of science; and such is the pro- 

 gress which, by the aid of chemistry, this science has made, that we 

 can now accurately ascertain what portions of the soil are absorbed 

 by different plants, and therefore what kind of support is necessary 



